Appeal for witnesses by detectives investigating Ryan Passey murder
He was stabbed to death in a nightclub in Stourbridge in 2017.
Detectives re-investigating the murder of Ryan Passey, who was stabbed to death at a nightclub in Stourbridge in August 2017, have today released new images of two potential witnesses.
Ryan was enjoying a night out with friends after playing at a local football match when he was stabbed inside Chicago’s nightclub
Ryan, aged 24, was rushed to hospital but passed away soon after. He died of a single stab wound to the chest.
A 19-year-old man was charged with Ryan’s murder but a jury found him not guilty at a trial in February, 2018.
In 2022, West Yorkshire Police agreed to carry out an independent review of West Midlands Police's investigation and the trial into Ryan’s death, and presented the force with their findings last year.
Homicide officers with the force have been assessing this review and accepted all 18 recommendations to determine the next steps.
As part of the review, two men have been identified.
Detective Inspector Jim Church, leading the reinvestigation, said: “I want to be really clear that the men in the images are witnesses.
"Although we don’t believe they witnessed the stabbing itself they may hold information that is now important to our enquiry.”
“We believe they were outside Chicago’s on the evening of the attack, but did not go inside and instead left the area after waiting in the queue.
“I would urge them or anyone who knows them to come forward, so we can speak to them.
“Our focus is on Ryan’s family and we will continue to work with them as that investigation progresses.”
Ryan’s family said today: “Six years on and we are still here fighting for Justice for Ryan, a fight we hope no other parent and family will ever have to go through.
“Justice for Ryan will continue to work with the new team of detectives at West Midlands Police who are re-investigating Ryan’s murder.
“We urge anyone who has information or has kept silent thus far to come forward and speak to the Police, so that the real truth and full details of what happened to Ryan can be revealed.”